[Status and trends in locoregional chemotherapy]

The idea to increase the cytostatic concentration by direct perfusion of the target organ and to simultaneously reduce the systemic side effect is almost 40 years old. New techniques brought new impulses to this old method, namely regional chemotherapy, by the discovery of a fully implantable catheter system as a byproduct of space research. This system can be used intravenously, intraarterially and intraperitoneally. In addition to avoid some types of complications caused by externally placed catheters this system serves another important goal in palliative cancer treatment: an improved quality of life, as a good ambulatory implementation is secured.